Mohammad Kaif Backs Sarfaraz Khan for No. 6 Spot in India's Test XI Against Sri Lanka

Mohammad Kaif has welcomed Sarfaraz Khan's return to India's Test squad and believes he should play over Dhruv Jurel at No. 6 against Sri Lanka due to his effectiveness against spin. Khan was added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan. Kaif questioned the reason behind Khan's prolonged absence from the Test setup, stating performance was not the issue. Kaif praised the decision to recall Khan, highlighting his skill against spin as valuable in Sri Lankan conditions. While acknowledging team management might favor Jurel due to his existing involvement, Kaif prefers Khan for his ability to play spin and wide range of strokes, which would be advantageous on potentially challenging pitches in Galle. Jurel's recent form also supports Kaif's preference for Khan. The selection debate is expected to be a key talking point ahead of the first Test starting August 15.